What is it?
Kickboxing is a stand-up combat sport based on kicking and punching. It is practiced for self-defense, general fitness, or as a contact sport.
Historically, kickboxing can be considered a hybrid martial art formed from the combination of elements of various traditional styles. Here are a few examples:
Muay Thai Kickboxing, also referred to as ‘Thai boxing’, is a combat sport of Thailand that uses stand-up striking along with various clinching techniques. This discipline is known as the “art of eight limbs” as it is characterized by the combined use of fists, elbows, knees, and shins.
Dutch kickboxing is a style of kickboxing built on Kyokushin karate and heavily influenced by Muay Thai. Its main characteristics are heavy low kicks and sophisticated boxing combinations. It also allows knee strikes but no elbows.
Japanese kickboxing originated in the late 1950s, with competitions held since then. American kickboxing originated in the 1970s and was brought to prominence in September 1974, when the Professional Karate Association held the first World Championships.
What class is like
Classes are open to everyone, regardless of experience, even if they are “out of shape”. Each lesson has multiple options depending on your particular goals. Whether you are there just for a great workout, or you are training for your next fight, we have something for you.
Class usually starts with the instructor showing a technique or combination and the class pairing off with partners to drill the technique. This is repeated a few times, usually with the next technique building on the previous.
These practice drills are done with either light or no contact, depending on your personal preference. If you prefer to not strike towards a partner, we also have a variety of punching bags.
About halfway through class we transition to “rounds”. These are typically 3 minutes rounds with a 1 minute rest. Each person rotates through a variety of drills based on their goals. For example, you may spend a particular round punching a bag, punching mitts, blocking punches, or lightly sparring with a partner.
If we have a fighter training for an upcoming event we will often aim our practice towards getting them ready. Even though they ultimately fight alone, we will work together as a team to get them ready!
Competition
While competing is never required of any student, we are glad to help prepare those that are seeking it.
Because of the often vague definition of kickboxing, there are a lot of different types of events that we have trained people for. Our coaches are experienced in Muay Thai, plus a variety of Japanese, Korean and Chinese styles of striking. We are bringing decades of experience into the ring under a variety of styles and rule sets. This has helped us train fighters for: Muay Thai fights, American kickboxing, Mixed Martial Arts, point karate and full contact karate tournaments.
